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Date: Jul 1, 2008

CRITICISM

DollyM · Veteran Member

ugh . . . it's summer and the cheap skates come out in droves on EBay. I remember I listed a reborn for $50.00 once thinking it would go high and the low opening bid price would attract people. All it did was attract the cheap skates and I lost money big time. Now I list the dolls at the price I want and if it doesn't sell I hang onto it until I feel the timing is better and then try again. And yes, the cheaper it sells the more likely you are to get criticism because people feel that your art is not worth much if they can buy it cheaply.

Heather M · Senior Member

Ebay is bad that way. It's best to clearly spell out your return policy, and as Dolly said ask what you think the doll is worth. You should never have to take a loss on a doll that you sell. If you are looking for constructive criticism (which is very different from complaints) you can always post links to your pics here on the forum and ask people for tips on painting or whatever else you want help with.
Regarding the Ebay problem, you can email the buyer and try to work it out. You might also try selling on other sites or selling in person at craft fairs. If you have dolls that don't turn out right, you could always give them away or donate them to charity. I do sometimes.

Date: Jul 1, 2008

Don,t let that one sale stop you from following your dream. When you put something on ebay, put it on at a price that will cover your costs and if you get more it,s a bonus. When we do craft we very rarely get much for the time and effort we put into it. What I would suggest, is email the lady, tell her if she isn,t happy with your work, you are. give her a refund and and be happy you haven,t lost out, by selling to cheap. I,d even write a note on ebay to dissatisfied customers, letting them know the time and effort that does go into reborning dolls. When I go to doll shows and someone wants my work cheaper, I just say no, she comes from a loving family already,I don,t mind taking them home again. weirdface

Date: Jul 1, 2008

Thanks allot, I was really discouraged and I thought I did a wonderful job on her not to mention adding all the extra outfits and lots more....I even went lower on the shipping to please this lady. I really must thank you... great advise.

Buffington · Guru

Oh yes hun, ebay is a fickle place. You never know from one minute to the next! I never base anything on ebay (IMHO). I've been watching for a couple of years now. Seems like (most of the time) if people put their baby on with a reserve it doesn't get up to that, but if they put it on without one but at a higher price (so they at least recoup some costs) it might not get a bid.
On the other hand... I have seen some babies put on there starting at $0.99 and it has gotten a bajillion bids and can sometimes go right through the roof! Bidders are like that and you can't second guess them. But I think the people who do that are risktakers cause then you gotta sell for the highest bid (even if it's $8). cry

Some of us call it evilbay furious

instead cause sometimes it seems down right evil what goes on! And now we can't leave bad or neutral feedback, even for a bad buyer! But they can sure leave it for us. Oh sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now :) confused

$8 and the winner was attacking your doll? HOW UTTERLY REDICULOUS!

You can always post links in our forum like Heather said. At least what is said here should be a critique/constructive criticism not an attack on your work.

Do you have a link to your auction (that you can post here) so we can see?

I also like what June from Oz said "...and someone wants my work cheaper, I just say no, she comes from a loving family already,I don,t mind taking them home again."

I do physical art and craft shows and I don't mind telling people at all how much time goes into each "hand created baby". The looks on their faces is really quite worth it!!! And you know, (IMHO) some people don't care about the baby if you put in a lot of nice clothes. They are probably looking at getting aalllll those clothes for cheaper than they could otherwise (again, IMHO). I have heard some people discussing ebay like that, and also posts in another forum I belong to.
I consider your customer a "scammer" because she even got you to go lower on shipping. I think we've all been there at one time or another. Don't let it discourage you from anything. Ebay is ebay, that's all you can say. I never compromise my principles for buyers! They either buy it as it comes or not at all. Its hard when its your first few though.

I know I have rambled here some but I hope you feel better now. I personally would tell that customer that if she is dissatisfied in any way with the purchase she has 5 days to return it at her cost and in original condition with all accessories!!!!

precious_lullabies · Guru

I can't believe you sold her for only 8 dollars!!! you would have lost so much money on her, not to mention the time it takes to do all that work - to then turn around and haggle you about it is beyond my comprehension.

as others have said, i'd like to have a look at your baby (post a link??) i'd be willing to give a trully honest opinion but in a way that gives suggestions on things and ways to improve and also focus on your positives... constructive criticism.

still i am utterly horrified that you let one of your creations go at such a low price... in future i recommend having a starting price that at least covers your costs, or starts at a range you would be ok with selling it at.

the person who bought your baby trully, has no right to complain. She robbed you blind!!!

chin up... keep at it and don't give up

Buffington · Guru

precious_lullabies wrote:

I can't believe you sold her for only 8 dollars!!!
still i am utterly horrified that you let one of your creations go at such a low price... in future i recommend having a starting price that at least covers your costs, or starts at a range you would be ok with selling it at.

When you do evilbay and you don't put a reserve or a starting price worth your time and effort on your works, you have no choice to sell for the highest bid (in this case, $8)!
Yes it is appaling but we do live and learn and hopefully get better (not bitter, badder, or butter lol) for it. weirdface

But yes, please do post a link (if you can/would). We should like to see this baby. Or maybe not as we might like to have words with this... ahem *clearing throat* customer. Just know that we all feel bad for you hun, and know that this will happen and now you (and some of the newbies) are wiser for you sharing this with us. :)